Journeys

Touring vs. Journeying with Big Story Living, plus some tips to get you to Europe cheap and fast

Touring vs. Journeying

If you’ve followed this space for a while, you may have caught onto my lingo. I want adventures that are light and offer freedom, are worth investing in, and worth making the time for. I think most of us do. So, I tend to use words like travel, holiday, and getaway instead of “vacation.” Why? It’s semantics. I’ve just always felt like the word “vacation” seems more cold, and can be wrought with negative vibes for people who have memories of childhood, family, or other vacations gone awry. For some reason “vacation,” to me, feels heavy with an expectation of just getting it done. And I personally want my time away to be something to savor. I want it to be meaningful, “worth it” and something to linger into.

That’s why at Big Story Living, we prepare for and go on holidays and getaways instead of vacations…and my most favorite, we JOURNEY.

While researching for our most recent travel opportunity, A Journey to Christmas, I’ve been thinking more and more about everything that makes BSL unique. Google offers a plethora of opportunities to explore every corner of the world. It’s simple to find a well-planned and somewhat affordable, well-scheduled tour to almost anywhere. Really great companies offer them all the time. On tours, you’ll never miss a highlight attraction, but as a trade-off, you’ll often go, go, go with large groups, sometimes until you can’t go any longer, and there’s just not a lot of room for your desires to have much of a say. That doesn’t make touring bad. Not at all.

It’s just that to me, all the “go, go, go” sometimes just sounds like my every day…

not my personal version of a holiday…

and definitely not a journey.

So, is what I offer through Big Story Living really any different than all the other good ideas, good deals, and well-rounded, perfectly scheduled vacations and tour opportunities Siri can discover?

Well, to keep showing up in this space, I have to believe, “yes.”

And here’s why…

“Traveling with one eye on the world and the other eye on Jesus” is the guiding premise that makes BSL journeys different. Journeys originate with anticipation and excitement, happen within space, curiosity, and intention, and end as a precious, new chapter to your Big Story.

No matter the type, BSL Journeys are curated specifically to offer space, freedom, travel skills, adventure, and courage, AND they allow the time to experience the attractions that really matter to you.

The only commitments you make as a traveler on a BSL journey is to lodge with the group while being a kind a respectful roomie, travel from city to city as a team, and explore with wonder in each location…as you choose, when you choose, and at the pace the Spirit within prompts you towards each and every day.

The table is always set for you to move in wide-open space and freedom. And in that space, room is created for the Spirit to speak, inspire, lead, love, encourage, and meet you exactly where you need to be cared for the most. We trust that the Spirit is much more attuned to your deepest needs than anyone else can be, and when given opportunity, they are a trustworthy companion and guide.

Group experiences are yours to take or leave. Space is yours to sightsee, drink coffee, and people-watch all day, nap, or stroll down a less traveled path.

We travel in small groups. Friendships bloom. Our bodies relax, and our curiosity awakens.

In these ways, the gift of time away transforms from a tour or vacation to a sacred journey that offers a much bigger story.

Tips to Get You Journeying Cheap and Fast

Cheap: European Flights for “Almost Free”

Fast: Journey to Christmas in 2024 with Big Story Living

Registration Is Open for our final journey of the year. If you desire time and space where every day is completely yours, and no one is demanding anything from you, the table will be set for you in Europe, December 1-11. Explore Christmas Markets in cities throughout Austria, German, Slovakia and Croatia. All you have to do is show up in Vienna on December 1, the first day of Advent, and welcome the season with anticipation. Every detail will be taken care of, and the Christmas season will be yours to enjoy!

I hope you’ll join us! Registration closes soon.

Happy Travels,

Amy